Machine for flanging glass tubes.



I M'MMMJ. Maw/MW? NO. 866,347. I PATENTED SEPT. 17,1907. J. T. FAGAN.MACHINE FOR FLANGING GLASS TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27, 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

J. T. FAGAN. MACHINE FOR FLANGING GLASS TUBES.

APPLICATION IILEI) MAR. 27, 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

6? Mai bad MAW 2% .wJJ m M/ Q C Z V. Y 1W...

PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

J. T. FAGAN. MACHINE FOR FLANGING GLASS TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 27 1905.

5 SEEETS-SHEET 3.

Wt]: 6015 6d r/Qwlz PATENTED SEPT, 17, 1907.

J. T. FAGAN. MACHINE FOR FLANGING GLASS T UBBS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27, 1905- 5 SHBETSSHEBT 4.

No. 866,347. PATENTED-SEPT. 17, 1907.

' J. T. PAGAN.

- MAGHINE FOR F-LANGING GLASS TUBES.

urucumn FILED MAR. 27, 1,905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5 W 7/, a: 9 I

JOHN T. FAGAN, OFIOLEVELAND,

OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC LAMP COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND,OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE i on FL'ANGING GLASS T BES.

Speciflcation'of Letters Patent; Patented Sept. 17, 1907.

application filed Karel: 2 7 1905. flerial No. 252,112.

.To all whom it may concern: i

Be it 'known that I, J OHN T. FAGAN, a citizen of the .United States,residing at Cleveland, in the county "of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio,have invented a certain new and useful Improvementin Machines forFlanging Glass Tubes, oiiw'hich the'following is a full, clear, and

exact description, reference panying drawings. v

The object of this invention is to provide an efficient automaticmachine for forming flanges on glass tubes. Such flanged tubes areparticularly utilizable in the manufacture of incandescent lamps,constituting as they'do the member which carries the filament.

The present machine has a hopper into which put short sections oftubing, and these areautomatically fed to the fianging mechanism thenflanged and then being had to the accomdischarged into a suitablereceptacle. Any broken glass is separately discharged-during theoperation.

' out in the claims.

"The flange is formed perl'ectly, irrespective of variations in thalength or diameter of the tube. The means for the accomplishment ofthese objects are included within this invention, which is hereinaftermore fully explained and the essential elements of which are set Themachine shown in the drawings is made duplex having two hoppers and twoflanging mechanisms operated from a single power shaft.

Figure 1 is.a front elevation of the machi-ne,and Fig. 2 a sideelevation. Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sections on the correspondinglynumbered lines of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section beingon gears and otherparts beneath it.

the line-5 5 of Fig. '3. Fig. G'is an enlarged vertical section throughthe hopper} Fig.7 is a top plan of the lower member of the gas andair-valve; Fig. 8 is a bot tom plan of the upper member of such valve,Fig. 9 is a detail in scctionon the line 9-9 of Fig. (i. Fig. 10 is aperspective view of a flanged tube showing thii product of the machine.

Mounted on the bed plate A are a pair of tubular standards A. Thesestandards carry a cross frameplate A and rising from this lrame-phdc areadditional tubular standards A. At the upper cud of each slandard A andthe adjacent standard A" is a courier-ting frame member A. Thisconstruction coustitutcs the frame-of the machine. "llm'bcd plate A issuitably supported by means not shown, to allow 'the operation of Rigidwith each of the plates A is a boss a,'wl1i -h has an inclined socketopening a (Fig-byte receive the lower end of the tubular stem I; oft.l1c'lioppc.1' B. This hopper B is formed, as shown in Fig. 6, andcomprises a cylindrical walland-aslghtly conical base. At one point inthis, base is a ichannel-like depression or groove 11'", which leadsinto a tubular opening which curves through the stem of the hopper and.terminates at the-lower end thereof in alinement with an opening a inthe boss (1.

Loosely journaled on the boss a is a gear C which carries a pin a takinginto a stirrup b on the stem of the hopper. I As the gear revolves, thehopper is revolved, the loose play of the pin in the stirrup allowingfor the different axes of revolution. When the channel I) is at itslowermost position, as shown in Fig. 6, some of the tubes which arecontained in the hopper settle into the channel, as shown at Z in Figs.6 andt). Then so that they slide by gravity down through the curvedopening band out of the lower end of the hopper.

This makes a most convenient and satisfactory gravity feed. A quantityof the tubes are simply dumped into the hopper. and the revolution ofthe same arranges them and they discharge themselves one at a time.

Secured to the lower end of the boss a is a bracket D which carries alantern-like structure consisting of several uprights d and rings (1 andd at the upper and lower ends thereof. This lantern furnishes means forguiding the tube in its further descent and allows broken pieces ofglass to all out through the spaces between the upright bars. Thisisanothcr feature of the present invention. The lantern is inclinedsomewhat, but less than the hopper and furnishes an iutermediate guideto direct the tubes into the vertical chuck E beneath the lantern.

Between the lantern and chuck is a stop plate F, which, when in theposition shown, stops the tubes, preventing their entrance into thechuck. At the proper time this stop plate is swung away to allow thedescent of the lowermost tube, as hereinafter explained. Just precedingthe removal of the stop plate, a pair of piuccrs, consisting of thepivoted arms G and G, (Figs. 1 and 4), are released, and a spring Gconnecting the same draw them toward each other, so that inturned' toeson the ends thereof pass between the bars (l of the lanterns and graspthe next to the bottom tube prcventing more than one tube .dcscendingwhen the plate F is removed. By this means the tubes are fed one at atime into the chuck E. This is another feature of the invention. Themechanism for operating the piucers and swinging the plate F to idleposition will be hereinaiter explained.

When the tube drops into the open chuck E it-is stopped by its lower endstriking and resting upon a plate 11, (Figs. 1, 2, and 5). At the timdthe tube drops into the chuck the same is held open by a shipper leverJ, which is pivoted to a central frame bracket a and which has pinstaking into an annulargroove e in the chuck, and whose outer end extendsthrough a slot into the tubular'standard A and rests on the upper end ofa rod K loosely mounted within that standard.

' Near its lower end this 1' f is engagedby'the lever L thus grasp thetube.

- to-be engaged bya cam U.

which carries a roller 1 WhUse upper portion is adapted i The cam isin-engagement, and thus holds the chuck open at the time the tube dropsinto the chuck. Thereafter'when the tube, is resting on the bolt H thecam releases the lever Land the chuck descends by gravity and the jaws eof the chuck, which are held by links e to the rest of the chuck, areforced inward by reason of the inwardlytapered sleeve e which the jawsoccupy. The jaws The sleeve e of the chuck is journaledin the frameplate A and carries a gear e meshing with a continuously revolving gearm on the npper-endof themain shaft M. As the chuck closes therefore, thetube be:

4 gins to revolve. At the same time the plate is antomatically swungoutof the'way by means hereinafterexplained.

Pointing-directly towards the projecting end of the tube, which-isgrasped and revolved by' the chuck, isv

an air nozzle p surrounded by a gas nozzle q, (Fig. 2). These nozzlesare connected by an air pipe P and a I gas pipe Q with an automaticvalvecomprising the stationary ring R and the revolving rlngjR" restingthereon. These members have cooperating passageways, ashereinafterexplained, which operate to open the air and gas-pipes as soonas thetube has been grasped by the chuck. Some gas is always flowing "throughthe pipe to maintain ignition at thenozzle, wherefore, when the mainquantity of gas and air is turned on, a hot flame is projectedagainstthe re- 1 Volving tube, soon heating it to the proper degree.

Now the flanging operation takes place. This. is

- caused by means of a projecting pin S, (Figs. 2 and 5),

which is carried on a stud t mounted on an arm 1 which is secured on therock shaft 1 journaled in a cross head T. r This cross head is slidableupon the stationary tube N, which is connected with the bed plate A andthe frame plate A and surrounds the" main driving shaft M. The crosshead T is prevented from rotating by reason of a pair of rollers tbearing on opposite sides thereof. The cross head is raised and loweredby.

means of-a crown cam U, which is clamped toa hub 11 of thegear Vwhich'is loosely journaled on the tube A The cross-head -T can'iesaguide arm t in which slides a rack 22 whose teeth meshwith the teeth ofa pinion t on the rock shaft The lower end of this rack carries a rolleradapted to ride upon a shoe 'U ad-.

ju'stably mounted ona stud U rising from the upper side ofthe gear U Bythis means the cross head is elevated and the rock shaft t isheld'againstvrotation with the flanging pin S projecting diagonally, asshown in Fig. 2. .The flanging pin coming in this position intoengagement with the lower edge of. the rapidly revolving heated tubeforms a flange thereon, as shown'at'z in Figs. '5 and 10. During thisflanging Qoperation-a size, notwithstanding variations in tho lengths ofthe tubes. This is an important feature, for it is impracticable tocutoff the tubes of exactly the same length.

'Immediatelv allowing theiorrnationof the flangethe shoes U, by reasonottherevolution of the gea'r'U are moved out fromunder-the racks t, whichdescend-' brings the flanging pin .into a vertical positiondirectlybeneath the flanged tube, and at the same time the cam U onthe lowerside of the gear U engaging the roller l upon the flanged tube dropsaround the flanging pin complete tube has dropped onto the flangin'gpin,as stated, a second face of the cam U comes beneath the roller t and thecross head descends, thus lowering the tube on the flanging pin. Justafter the tube has. cleared the chuck a lug t at the upper end of therack t" engages the stationary bracket a, stopping the movement of therack, whereupon the continued descent of the cross head rotates thepinion t? through substantially half a revolution, which turns the pin Sup side down, allowing the flanged 'tubeto drop off of the same. Whenthe flanged tube drops, it passes ontoitherunway V, consisting of, apair of; parallel downwardly inclined bars. n The flange of the tuberestson these bars, the shank extending between them. The upper portionof this run way stands over a waste b0); V. If, for any reason, theflange has not been formed on the tube it drops through the runway intothe waste box. If the fl'ange has been formed, the tube slidesdown therun way beyond the end thereof into a suitable receiving box not shown."

I will now describe the driving mechanism and its connection with thehopper, the pineers and the stop plates. The main shaft Mis journaledwithin the tube A? carried by the frame plates A and-A The thrust parts,and this is taken'by a ball bearing N, (Fig. 5) between the gear m andthe frame plate AfI I Splined on this shaft beneath the bed plate is aclutch collar W, which is operated by a'suitable shipper lever llV withclutch 'teth formedl on the huhof the main drivcliine nto operation.posit 1'1. u w on the shaft M is a pini0n-rn,; which meshes with a gearY. On the shaft of this gear. Y is a pinion y, which meshes with thegear U heretofbre described.

shafts 0 which' carry at their upper ends pinions .c rneshing with thegears C'which rotate the hoppers; The. chucks, as stated, arerevolved'by reason of their, gears meshing with the gear m, on theu'ppeii end of the the hoppers revolve with stillrless iapjidity.

rocksh'afts 0. These shafts carr tappet arms 0, each carried by the gearU [Such engagement rocks the: shaft. This movement swings the rock arm0, (Figs.-

the arm of the=pincers,'and. normally holding them pincers to swingtogether, by reason of the spring G the tube next above theoneresting-oaths vontp the collar S at the base thereof. .Asisoon as the. 1

on this shaft is dow'nward, due to the weight of the held by-a catch WThe clutch W is adapted to mesh 105 ing'pulley This p'ull ey is contin u.revolyed a d a simple release oft lie catch thus throws the' rna- It isshown in Fig. 5 as in idle 1 ing by gravity rotate the rock shaft ,8.This rotation operates the shipper arm J to open the chuck, where- IMeshing with this gear'U? are a pair of piniens e on main shaft-These'rzhpcks thus revolvednuch rnore rapidly than do the (nailscarried by the gear U 1'20; Extending iliii'tically in "the maghineare'a pair of I adapted to be engaged by-the corresponding camU idle.Its movement-releases such tail, allowing the 12,5 1,2, and 4,). This.arm has a pin 0 engaging-a tail g o 1' .thereon, allowing it to dropinto the chuck.

The stop plate F is not rigid on the shaft 0, rests on a collar 0thereon by which it is driven through the intervention of a pair of pinscarried by the collar and stop plate and adapted to engage. 'A spring 3tends to maintain such engagement. This arrangement is so that when thestop. plate swings back if a tube should have accidentally descendedfrom the lantern it will not be broken. The stop plate H is also carriedby the rock shaft 0. It swings beneath the chuck to receive the tubejust as the stop plate F is swipging out of the way to release it. Afterthe chuck has grasped the tube the stop plate H swings out of the wayand the stop plate F comes back into position. v

The gas and air valve'consists, as'heretofore stated, of the stationaryring Rand the revolving ring R. Each of these rings surrounds thestationary tube A but'the ring R" is compellcdto revolve by reason ofpins r carried by the boss u on the under side of the gear- U whichproject into recesses in the ring R. Springs r surrounding these pinsmaintain a snug engagement between the rings R and R. The main air andgas pipes P and Q communicate respectively with openings r and N, (Fig.7), in the upper surface of the ringsuch a position that these groovesbridge the openings between the main pipes and the delivery pipesthesame are connected and the gas or airiiows as desired.

As shown, the inner groove 1" governs the air. This iscntircly onwhenthe .tube is projecting from the chuck and at other times isentirely shut off. The gas is controlled by the outer groove 7". The gasis entirely on when the-tube projects from the chuck, but at other timesonly enough gas is on to maiutainthe burner of said hopper, and apassageway through the stem of the hopper.

set on an axis out of the vertical, whereby the "tubes are fedbygravity. 1

3. The combination with a suitable support of a hopper having a stemjournul'ed into said support at an angle to the vertical, a tubularpassageway leadingv from the base of the hopper through said stem,whereby articles placed in the hopper may scttle into the entrance tosaid passageway, in one position of the hopper, and in'unother position,will be raised to cause them to slide down suidpassugc: way.-

4. The combination of a rotatable hopper jouruuled (pi an axis obliqueto the vertical, a depression in'the base leading therefrom 51 Thecombination, with a suitable support, of a hopper having a stemjournaled in said support on an axis at an angle with the vertical, :1gear rotatably carried by said support, and a-slidahle connectionbetween the geanand the hopper whereby the hopper may berotated.

6, In a machine for flanging glass tubes, the combination of a hopperadapted to feed tubes, mechanism for rotating the fed tubes; apassageway between the hopper and said mechanism to allow the discardingof brokenglass.

7. In a machine for hanging glass tubes, the combination therein.

8. In a machine for flanglng glass tubes, the combination of a.rotatable chuck, means Iorguidin'g the tubes thereto, a stop adapted tointercept the tubes, and means tor mow ing said stop to or from an idleposition.

9. In a machine for hanging glass tubes, the combination of a hopper, achuck, a lantern-like guide between the hop per and chuck, a pair ofpincers having 'juws adapted of a. hopper, a passageway therefrom, andmechanism* -adapted'to enter the passageway for grasping a tube 11. ln'amachine for fihnging glass tubes, the combinw,

tion of a rotatable chuck into which the tube may be fed,

a stop for the tube adapted to stand in front of said chuck and limitthe projection of thc,tube therefrom.

12. In a machine for flanging glass tubes, the combine tion of arotatable chuck into which the tubc maybe fed, a stop for the tubeadapted to stand in front of said chuck and limit the projection of thetube therefrom, means for heating the forward end of said tube, and amember for engaging said tube to i'orm'a flange thereon.

13. In a machine for fianging glass tubes, the combination of arotatable chuckinto which the tube maybe fed, a stop for the tubeadapted to stand in front oi." said. chuck and limit the projection ofthe .tube therefrom, mechanism suitably timed for closing th chuck, forthen moving; the stop away from the tube, an a flange on the projectingend of the tube 14. In a machine fonfl unging glass tubes, thecombination of a vertical chuck, means forfeeding, a.;tubeinto the upperend thereof, :ii d'o "top adapted to stand below the chuck and stop thetubc. V a r 15. In a machine forijiun ging glass tubes, the combinationof a vertical chuck, a hopper above the same, a pas sugcwuy between thehopper and chuck whereby tubes may be fed by gravity into the chuck, anda stop adapted to stand below the chuck and stop theftubc.

16. in a machine for hanging; glass tubes, the comhinu tion of avertical chuck, a downward passageway to the upper end, thereof, wherebytubes may be fed by gravity into the chuck, a stop adapted to standbelow the chuck and stop the tube, mcunsfor swingingsaid step out of thewhy, means for rotating said chuck, a hanging member and menus forbringing the flange member into engagement with the tube.

. 17. in a machine for hanging glass tubes, theconxbination. of arotatable chuck adapted to carry u tube projecting from its lower end,menus for heating such projecting end, a flungingpin, means for causingit to engage such lower end to form n flange. means for loosening thechuck to allow the flanged tube to drop out of the chuck.

18. In a machine for hanging" glass tubes, the combination of arotatable chuck adapted to carry a tube project- ,ing from its lowerend,- means for heatingsuch projecting cud; adianging pin, 'meansdorcausing it to engage such lower end to, fo :m it hangs, means forallowing the flanged tpl)c to pass out of the their inverting, suid offor 's-nine. in a machine for fiauginglgluss tubes, the combination of urotatable chuck adapted to carry a tube project ingfrom its lower end,means for heating such projecting end, means for forming :1 flangetherein, means for allowing the flanged tube to pass out of the chuck,and an inclined track adapted to receive the tube. 3

1 40 chuck onto said pin. and means for J pin to nllow tl e ilaugedtubeto pass r tabl I I I --ltslower end menns for projecting ,end 1L.flafigtng pin, meanE for .engss"g,, clined :p o sitlon,--the lower endof tube to form nge n ans for then swinging 'the pin into a verticalposition benea th't-he tube, means for'the n releasing the'chuck, meansfor then lowering the pin to lower the tube, and means for theninverting.

the pin to discharge thetube. I

22. The co'mbination ofa rotatabie chuck, a sliding cross head, a rockshaft and a pinion ,rotatably carried on said cross head, a cam-forraisingor lowering the cross head, and a rack for operating saidpinion,and mechanism for operating said rack independently 'of the operation'ofthe cross head,,and a flanglng pin carried by the rock-shaft.

-'23. In a machine for flnnging lass tubes, the combination of arotatable chuck, meansfor feeding the tubes successively thereinto andfor closing the chuck, means for forming a flange on the tube, aburne'r'fed'by gas and air,

and automatic mennsfor controlling the same to force a hot l-lameagainst the projecting end of saidtube in'the chuck, and to turn downsaid flame when the tube is out 3 0 9 f the chuck.

I 4. Thecomblnation-with a heating burner, of a chuck adapted to graspthe tube, a member, for forming aflange 'threon, rotatable shaft gearedto the chuck, a cam operated" by said shaft to move said hanging membertoward,

' or from the chuck, and a rotatable gas and air valve operated by saidshaft heating burner: I ,25'. The combination of a central verticalshaft, menus for rotating the same," a pair of chucks rotatably mountedH) on :opposite sides of the' shaft,.gearing connecting said chucks'viith the shaft, a pair of -hoppers, afconnection betWeen each hopperand the corresponding chuck, a slidable for governing. the supply to,ti1e

cross head, and a pair of iianging pins carried thereby and adapted ,toe n gae the projectin g ends of-the tubesin said chucks.

26. The combination'of a driving' shaft, 11 pair of chucks I I rotatablymounted, gearing connecting said chucks with? the shaft, 9.slidablecr'oss head, a'pair oi' .iianging; pins carried thereby andadapted toengage theprojecting ends' .of the tubes in said chucks-androtata'biecams journaled .about said shaft and operated by it, said camscontrolling the position of the cross head, the position of theilIanging pins, and theengagement of thechuck;

.27.. A machinefor i'langin'g glass tubes -comprising means forfsecuringthe tubes in position to be flanged, means for feeding the tubes-intosaid securing means-means, anaest- :ing'said hanging-means andcontrolling the grippin'g'of said securing-means, and-means forheatingthe tubes.

ing the tubes, 'means forlflanging 'the tub'cs and means for relativelyrotating the tubes and said hanging means; I 28. A machine for iiangingglass tubes comprising-means for securing the tubes in position to beflanged, automatic means for feeding the tubes into said securingQmeans', means for heating the tubes, means for flangin'g the t'u'bes,.and means for relatively rotating the tubes an aid' flan'gingmeans. I II 29. A machine for fla'nging glass tubes comprising means having afixed axis, for securing the tubes in position to be hanged, means forheating the tube's,- means for hanging the tubes, and means forrelatively-rotating the tubes and I said flanging means.

30. A machine for fianging glass tubes comprising means Q81, A machinefor flanging 'g iass tubes comprising means for securing the tubes inposition to be flanged, means for for heating the tu'fi, means forhanging the tubes, and

' ing means.

for. securing the tubes in position to be flanged, ,meansfor' tube.

I into said gripping means, and means for holding said gripcomm'0n',,means for operating said feeding means and con- -tro'lling thegripping oi said securing means, means for for heating"the tubes. I

4 0.. 1na machine for flanging glass tnbes, thecornblna ti'on of-a'meansfor sec'nrin'g tubes in position tobe flanged,

tion of a i iang in g rod, means 'i'or hea ti ng the tubes, means .fprmoving-said .ilanging rod-longitudinally toward the tube to be f langed,and means for-causing motion of said .machine. I 43. in a much I forsecuring the tubes inposltionj to be,ilanged,'means' forfeedlngthetubeis, axiallyinto saidzscquring'means; means means forrelatively rotating the tubes and said flanging means. I

3.2. A machine for flanging glass tubes comprising means for securingthe tubcs in position to be flanged, nieans for automati cally securingthe tubes in said securing -means,

' means for heating the tubes, means for fianging the tubes,

and means'for relatively rotating the tubes and said flang- 33. Amachine for'ilangingigiass tubes comprising means securingtbe tubes insaid securing moans, means for heating the tubes, means for iianging thetubes, means for relativ ely rotating the tubes and said Hanging means,and com mon means for operatingsaid lia'nging means and said means forsecuring the tubes insaid securing means.

3-1. In a machine for hanging glass tubes, means for s'ecuring a tube-inposition to be flanged, automatic means for flaiiging said tube,me:l nsfor securing relative movement, of thesecuring and flanging means aboutan axis perpendicular-to the axis of the tube, and .means for heatingthe tube. l

. 35..In a machine for iianging glass'tubcs, means for. se'

-curinga tube in'positiontobcfhmgedmezins for heating the tube,automatic means for hanging said tube, and means for securing relativerotation of'the securing and flanging means about the axis of the tubeand also relative movement about an axis perpendicular to the axis ofthe f 36. in a machine for fla nging glass tubes, the combina I tion ofgripping means for securing a tube in position to be iianged,"means forfeeding tubes intosaid grlppin-g .means, means whereby said grippingmeans is caused to be.

in releasedposition while :1 .tube is being fcd into it and in grippingposition. during the operation offlanging, flanglng means and'mcnns forheating the tube. v

37. In a machine for hanging l.ubes, the combination of a gripping meansconstantly tending to close for securing a tube in position to.bc'fiang'ed, means'for feeding tubes imaging the tubes and means forheating the tubes.

39. Ina m'achine'for flanglngglass tubes the combination .of a means forfeeding, tribe'sinto position to, be Iflang'cd, .means for. flangingsaid tubes; a common means forfoperat-ingsaid 1'30 feeding'andhanging-means, and means I means for flanging said'fltuhes; a commonmean's for'operat- Alf In a machine'for ilungingglass tubes, thecombinar'od about anaxis'perpend'icular' to that of said tube.

,42. in a m'a'c'hineitp'r ,flanging glass-tubes, the combina-.

- t'ion vvlth-flanging 'means and means for heating the tubes ofa devicefor removing the"'com'pleted-tube from the heat and permiting it to coolbefore it is discharged from the I I i ne for Hanging tubes, thecombination of a 'movably: supported discharge rod having a receivingendand means.for elevating said rgcoiving cnd to receive a completedtube and means for lowering said receiving end to discharge said tube.

44. In a machine for flanging glass tubes, the combina tion of means forfeeding a'tube into position to be flanged,

means forheating the tube and means for Hanging the 45. in'comblnation,a hopper, a lelecting channel therein, a dischargefin constantcommunication withighe selectsome? 5 ing channel, and mechanism wherebythe vertical inclination of the bottom wall of the hopper about theselecting channel may be varied. I

46, In combination, a hopper, a selecting channel therein, a dischargi'iin constant communication with the selecting channel, and mechanismwhereby the vertical inclination of the selecting channel may be varied.

47. in combination, a hopper, a selecting channel'there in, a dischargeconnected with the selecting channel, and nierlmnisnrfor varyingthevertical inclination of the con noel ion.

48. In combination, a, hopper, a selecting channel there in, a dischargeconnected with the selecting channel, and mechanism for Varying thevertical inclination of the sclerting channel and the emmcclionto thedischarge.

4!). in combination, a hopper, a selecting rhanncl, a dischargeconnected with the selecting channel, and mechanism for varying thevertical inclination of the connection to the discharge andsimultaneously maintaining the discharge outlet; in one position.

50. in combination, a hopper jourualed on an axis inclined to thevertical, a passageway from said hopper, a conducting chulc in constantcommunication with said passageway, and means for rotating the hopper tochange ,the vertical inclination of said passageway so that: the

material in the hoppenwiil slide down said passageway by gra vi ty.

- 51. The combination, with suitable support, of a hopper having a stemjournaled in said support at an angle to the vertical, a tubularpassageway leading from the base of the hopper through said steinwhereby articles placed in the hoppenxnay settle into the entrance tosaid pasageway in one position of the hopper and in another positionwill be raised to cause them to slide down said passageway.

The combination, with a suitable support, ot a hopper having a stemjouriialed in said support on an axis at an angle with the vertical, agear rotatahly carried by snill support and a flexible connectionbetween the gear and the hopper whereby the hopper may be rotated.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto still: my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses JOHN FAGAN. Witnesses Janus M. Sun, FREDERICK l. I-Mnnis

